Congratulations to all those that entered the GeoPRISMS Student Prize. Of all the quality entries, this page recognizes those that were most highly rated by the judges. Many of the outstanding presentations are available to download via the links from this page.
The GeoPRISMS Prize accepts international entries from any student who can establish a topical link between their research and a stated aim of a GeoPRISMS Program Initiative. To date, winners and honorable mentions have come from both the U.S. and abroad and have gone to around the same number of male and female entrants, and poster and oral presentations.
Thank you to the Judges and the students who entered, whose efforts allow the GeoPRISMS Student Prize to take place. We are also grateful to AGU for their cooperation and assistance with logistics before, during, and after the meeting.
Poster Presentation Winner
Samer Naif – UC San Diego
An extensive melt layer beneath the oceanic lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary discovered by magnetotelluric data
Coauthors: Kerrey W. Key, Steven Constable and Robert L. Evans
From the Judges: Samer was highly knowledgeable about his techniques, data, uncertainty, and nuances in the interpretation. He provided a very coherent presentation that fits within the broader context of GeoPRISMS research.
Oral Presentation Winner
Maryjo Brounce – University of Rhode Island
Fe3+/SFe variation in Mariana arc and back-arc magmas and primary fO2 of the mantle wedge
Coauthors: Katherine A. Kelley and Liz Cotrell
From the Judges: Maryjo gave a great talk with clear and concise science, and good knowledge of the field. She provided an excellent explanation of a complex topic with important consequences for research relevant to GeoPRISMS.
Honorable Mention
Erin DiMaggio – Arizona State University
Late Pliocene – Early Pleistocene geologic history of Eastern Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia: implications for the evolution of the southern Afar depression and hominid paleoenvironments
Coauthors: Ramon Arrowsmith, Christopher J. Campisano, Kaye Reed and Alan Deino
From the Judges: Erin gave an excellent talk that included good graphics and a clear rational. She provided excellent context and discussion for science with important implications.
Honorable Mention
Kristina Walowski – University of Oregon
Understanding magma formation and mantle conditions in the Lssen segment of the Cascade Arc: Insights from volatile contents of olivine-hosted melt inclusions
Coauthors: Daniel J. Rasmussen, Paul J. Wallace and Michael A. Clynne
From the Judges: Kristina gave a complex and polished talk, very clearly presented. Her topic is timely and pertains to a GeoPRISMS area of focus.
Honorable Mention
Brad Pitcher, Oregon State University
The evolution of the historic Mt. Etna magma plumbing system: A comprehensive in situ plagioclase compositional and isotopic study
Coauthors: Wendy Bohrson and Marco Viccaro
From the Judges: Brad had one of the best undergrad studies I have seen. Excellent science along with good graphics; very energetic and engaging presentation.
Honorable Mention
D. Sarah Stamps, Purdue University
Minimal role of basal shear tractions in driving Nubia-Somalia divergence across the East African Rift System
Coauthors: Eric Calais, Giampiero Iaffaldano and Lucy M. Flesch
From the Judges: Sarah was animated, articulate and highly knowledgeable regarding the subject. She was able to provide thoughtful answers to many difficult questions.